MONTHS of hard work and summer sunshine ensured a town looked its best for the judges of a national horticultural competition.

Royal Horticultural Society Britain in Bloom judges, Mark Wasilewski and Brendan Mowforth, visited Sedgefield this morning (Monday, August 4), as part of a tour of towns, village and cities across the UK.

The Sedgefield in Bloom Committee had pulled out all the stops to impress their green-fingered guests.

As well as a tour of the town’s most picturesque gardens, the judges were taken to admire a wildflower meadow and an abundance of pretty planters, colourful hanging baskets and beautiful borders dotted around the green.

Highlights included a poignant flowerbed commemorating the First World War and a delivery bike with baskets full of flowers.

Howard Smith, chairman of the Sedgefield in Bloom Committee, said: “It is always nice to receive recognition for what we do but our main aim is to make the place we live look nice. To win a gold award would be the icing on the cake.”

Sedgefield won a gold award in the small town category in 2012.

This year’s winners will be revealed in October.